Method for playing a card game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a game of Blackjack including a second wager opportunity for a player to place a second wager at the outset each deal of the game on the chance that the dealer will deal the player a pair. The player has predetermined odds for the second wager.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a method of wagering on and playing card games, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a method of placing a side bet that is integrated with the card game of chance, also known as 21 or Blackjack.

BACKGROUND

Blackjack, also commonly referred to as Twenty-One, is the most participated in of all the card games offered at casinos. Blackjack, as with most card games, is a game of chance between a dealer and at least one other player. The objective is for the player to achieve a count of twenty-one for his hand or be closer to twenty-one than the dealer without going over the count of twenty-one. If the player goes over the count of twenty-one, the player loses, regardless of the count of the dealers cards.

Blackjack uses a standard deck of cards wherein each non-face card has a value equal to its face value, the face cards have a value of ten, and Aces, have a value of one or eleven depending on which count the player feels is most beneficial to them in their current hand. All of the players and the dealer initially are dealt two cards. The most common method for playing the game is that the players two initial cards are dealt face up and the dealer has one card face up and the other card face down. The player may draw additional cards in an effort to try to beat the count of the dealer without exceeding twenty-one. The process is commonly referred to as a “hit”. Typically if the dealer has less than a count of 17 for his two initial cards, the dealer must draw an additional card. When the player and the dealer finish their respective hands with the same count, it is referred to as a “push”. A player has “Blackjack” when the combined value of the two initial cards equals 21.

There are several current methods of wagering when playing a game of Blackjack. One method of wagering is commonly referred to as “insurance”. The player has an opportunity to make an insurance bet when the dealer's face up card is an Ace. When this occurs, each player can typically wager one-half of the amount of his original wager as insurance against the player having a Blackjack, i.e. a two-card twenty-one count.

The disadvantage of conventional Blackjack, is that apart from the bets available as referenced herein, there are few opportunities for players to place additional bets on other potential outcomes of the game.

Accordingly, there is a need for a modified method of playing Blackjack that increases the wagering opportunities for a player so as to potentially increase their interest in the game and possibly their earnings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method of playing Blackjack that increases the opportunities to wager on different possible occurrences.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of playing Blackjack that allows a player to place an additional wager before the initial cards are dealt as to whether or not that player will be dealt a pair in the first two cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the playing card table configured to be used for the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a card game table 100 configured according to the principles of the present invention.

The elements of one embodiment of the card game table 100 for playing a game of Blackjack involving a standard deck of cards or a multiplicity of decks include a playing surface 10, wager designation areas 20, player card area 30. The card game table 100 is a conventional blackjack table having a felt surface 15 with a plurality of player card areas 30. A conventional blackjack table accommodates 6-8 players. The players position themselves adjacent to a player card area 30. The playing card area 30 is the location where a dealer will deal the cards to each participating player. Players typically participate in the card game by placing a monetary wager in the wager designation area 20. The present invention relates to a modified method for playing and subsequent wagering on cards that will potentially be dealt. The card game of the present invention relates an additional wager within the card game twenty-one, or Blackjack. The standard rules for Blackjack are as follows: Blackjack is played at a semicircular table. The game is often dealt from one to eight standard fifty-two decks of cards; infinite decks also exist in the form of robots mixing the cards all the time. Each card of rank two through ten is worth its face value in points. All face cards are worth ten points and the ace is worth one or eleven points whichever is best for that hand.

Card Point Values:

-   -   Ace=one or eleven points     -   2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9=Face value in points     -   10, J, Q, K=Ten points

The best hand a player can get is a total of twenty-one points on the first two cards. This can be achieved only by being dealt an ace and a 10(10, jack, queen or king) on the first two cards, this is called a blackjack or natural, a winning blackjack pays 3:2. If both player and dealer have a blackjack the bet is a push. All other winning hands pay 1:1. The player wins if his hand has more points than the dealer, without exceeding twenty-one points. If either the player or dealer goes over twenty-one it is called a break or bust and that hand automatically loses. If both the player and dealer bust the player loses. If player and dealer tie the hand is a push.

Typically a player will play the card game, Blackjack, as follows: To begin the game each player makes a wager in the wager designation area 20 in front of him. The dealer gives each player and himself a card face up, the dealer then deals every player a second card face up, and his own second card face down. If the dealer upcard is an ace, insurance is offered.

Insurance is a side bet and all players may bet an additional half of their original bets on insurance. If the dealer has a blackjack the insurance bet wins 2:1 but a player will lose the original bet so it is more like a push. If the dealer doesn't have blackjack the insurance bet is lost and the game continues. If dealer has ten upcard he will also check for a blackjack.

After it has been established that the dealer does not have a blackjack the player in turn may play their hands. The following options are available.

Option 1: Stand: Whenever the player is satisfied with his hand he may stand. And the turn goes over to the next player.

Option 2: Hit: If the player wishes to take another card he may continue to do so until the player either stands or busts.

Option 3: Double Down: In most casinos the player may double down on the first two cards. This means doubling the bet and only receiving one additional card, after getting the card it is an automatic stand for the hand. Sometimes the player may double down on the first two cards after splitting. Often the player may only double down on nine, ten or eleven totals for the first two cards.

Option 4: Split: The player may split the first two cards if they are of equal point value, thus getting two hands. This will require making another wager of the same amount as the original hand. Sometimes a player may re-split up to two or three times if another splitting opportunity arises. Double down after splitting is sometimes offered.

Option 5: Surrender (very rare rule): If a player surrenders the player will forfeit half the bet and the hand is discarded. This option is generally only offered after the dealer checks for blackjack, known as “late surrender.”

After all players have finished playing their hands, it is the dealers turn. The dealer must hit until either reaching a total of seventeen to twenty-one or busting. If the dealer busts all the players that did not bust wins. If the dealer does not bust all player hand totals are compared to the dealer hand total. If players hand total is greater than dealer, the player wins. If dealers total is higher the dealer wins. If totals are equal the hand is a push.

Whenever the ace is counted as eleven instead of one; this is called a soft hand. On the canvas of the Blackjack table it usually says “stand on all seventeen” that means the dealer stands on soft seventeen as well. Sometimes it does not say “stand on all seventeen” on the canvas then the dealer will hit soft seventeen.

Now referring in particular to FIGURE 1, the pair bet area 40 is an area designated on the card game table 100 that is an area where a player can place an additional monetary wager before the first two cards are dealt to the player. The pair bet area 40 is designated to for the player to place a wager on the chance that the first two cards the dealer deals to the player is a pair, i.e. two fours. This allows the player to place an additional wager to the wager already placed on the Blackjack game.

The pair bet area 40 is a separate and distinct wagering area from the wager area 20. Although the pair betting area 40 is shown in the drawings submitted herewith as being triangular in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pair betting area could be numerous different shapes. Although no specific odds are required, good results have been achieved with odds of 17 to 1 for the wager placed in the double up bet area 40. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention, that the pair bet area 40 odds could be configured in a plurality of manners. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the odds could be adjusted for the player wagering that the pair dealt would be a pair of face cards, i.e. a pair of jacks, queens, or kings. Although no specific odds are required, it is contemplated that 20 to 1 odds would be desirable for this configuration. Furthermore, the odds could be configured for the player wagering that the pair dealt in the first two cards could be two red cards, i.e. a diamond and a heart of the same value or two black cards, i.e. a club and a spade of the same value, in addition to being a pair. Although no specific odds are required, good results have been achieved with odds of 23 to 1 for this configuration.

A description of the playing the Blackjack game according to the method of the present invention is as follows. A player will place a wager in the wager designation area 20 to enter the game. A player will then place an additional wager in the pair betting area 40 on the chance that the first two cards dealt to that player will be a pair. The dealer then deals the cards according to the standard rules of Blackjack referenced herein. The dealer will then check the two initial cards dealt to the player to investigate the status as to whether or not a pair was dealt in the first to cards. The player will win or lose the wager placed in the pair betting area 40. The player and dealer subsequently continue to play the Blackjack hand in accordance with the standard rules referenced herein.

Although the described embodiment of present invention uses a conventional poker table and corresponding cards, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that the game could also be fashioned either in part or whole electronically or rendered in part or whole in computer software and hardware.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of placing multiple wagers while playing a game of Blackjack comprising: a player making a first wager to participate in a game of Blackjack; a player placing a second wager at the chance that the first two cards dealt to the player will be a pair; and a player participating in the game of Blackjack, subsequent to placing both wagers according to the rules of the game.
 2. The method as described in claim 1, further including the step determining if the first two cards dealt to the player are a pair, and if the determination is made that the first two cards dealt to the player are a pair, paying the player an amount based on a first set of predetermined odds on his second wager.
 3. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the predetermined odds are 17:1.
 4. The method as described in claim 3, wherein the step of paying the player an amount based on predetermined odds, includes the step of determining if the pair is the same color, and if the determination is made that the pair is the same color, paying the player an amount based on a second set of predetermined odds.
 5. The method as described in claim 4, wherein the predetermined odds are changed if the pair is a pair of Aces.
 6. The method as described in claim 5, wherein the predetermined odds are changed if the pair is a pair of face cards.
 7. A method of playing a standard game of Blackjack that includes the opportunity for the player to place a second wager comprising: a player making a first wager to participate in a standard game of Blackjack, a player placing an additional wager that the dealer will deal the player a pair with the first two cards dealt in the game; a dealer dealing the initial two cards to the player; a player winning or losing on his second wager according to the type of cards dealt for the initial two cards; a player participating in the standard game of Blackjack, subsequent to placing both wagers according to the standard rules of the game.
 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the player wins predetermined odds for the second wager placed in the game.
 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the player wins predetermined odds of 17:1
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the first initial two cards being of the same color.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the first initial two cards being two face cards.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the initial two cards being two Aces.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein said predetermined odds are 20:1.
 14. A method of playing a standard game of Blackjack that includes the opportunity for the player to place a second wager, wherein said second wager is for the chance that the first two initial cards will be a pair comprising: a player making a first wager to participate in a standard game of Blackjack, a player placing an additional wager that the dealer will deal the player a pair with the first two cards dealt in the game; a dealer dealing the initial two cards to the player; a player winning or losing on his second wager according to the type of cards dealt for the initial two cards; a player participating in the standard game of Blackjack, subsequent to placing both wagers according to the standard rules of the game; a player winning or losing on his first wager according to the standard rules of Blackjack.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the player wins predetermined odds for the second wager placed in the game.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the player wins predetermined odds of 17:1.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the first initial two cards being of the same color.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the first initial two cards being two face cards.
 19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein said predetermined odds are changed for the chance of the initial two cards being two Aces.
 20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein said predetermined odds are 20:1. 